Staff from Army Community Services joined students, teachers and staff at Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School for a parade through the campus to kickoff Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 4. (Photo by Karen A. Iwamoto, Oahu Publications Inc.)

Story and photo byKaren A. IwamotoStaff Writer

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Staff from Army Community Service’s Family Advocacy Program joined students, teachers and administrators at Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School, here, to kick off National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a parade through the campus.

Students were greeted by representatives from the 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, the Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Fire Department. HPD and HFD brought along their mascots, McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog. The 25th ID marching band led the parade.

Photo by Karen A. Iwamoto, Oahu PublicationsSparky the Fire Dog helps a Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School student plant a pinwheel in the school’s pinwheel garden, April 4. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and pinwheels are a symbol for child abuse prevention nationwide.

At an assembly in the school cafeteria after the parade, Maj. Gen. Ronald P. Clark, commander of the 25th ID and U.S. Army Hawaii, signed a proclamation reaffirming the Army’s commitment to preventing child abuse.

“Children raised in supportive and loving environments are more likely to grow up and lead productive and prosperous lives and build secure and healthy communities,” he continued. “Every Soldier, civilian employee and member of our community is expected to report any information about suspected cases of child or spousal abuse to the military police as soon as the information is received.”

Clark highlighted the numerous programs offered by the Family Advocacy Program to support parents and children, and encouraged the community to take advantage of resources that help build family resiliency, which in turn supports the resiliency of the Army.

The event concluded with students “planting” a pinwheel garden at the school’s entrance. Pinwheels represent the innocent and uplifting nature of childhood and have become the national symbol of child abuse prevention.

Students at Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School participate in a Child Abuse Prevention Parade through the campus, April 4, to kickoff National Child Abuse Prevention Month. (Photo by Karen A. Iwamoto, Oahu Publications Inc.)